Slow games

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 17:37

I got a new laptop not long ago what is a Aspire 7730 and when I go on a game like CS:S I have like 5 - 10FPS. It used to run ok not to long ago with about 50FPS. Is they any way to get the game to run more good at all or if they is nothing I can do with commands or something what do I need to upgrade in it so it run more good?

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 18:20

Have you checked your power settings? For XP, choose 'Always On' and for Vista, choose 'High Performance'.
Have you updated your Graphics drivers recently? Grab the latest drivers from ATI / Nvidia, and uninstall the current ones. Run Driver Sweeper in Safe Mode (Press F8 on startup) to ensure that the drivers are gone.
Boot up into 'normal mode' and install the drivers.

Nvidia Drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
ATI Drivers (XP Only): http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.HTML

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 18:46

The power is all ways set as High Performance when in game.
How do I find out what Graphics card is in this laptop?

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 18:49

Press Windows Key + R.
Type dxdiag into the box and press enter.
Go to the display tab, and read from the Name field.

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 18:55

I can't see it on list.

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:01

Your problem might be due to the fact you have integrated graphics. These are a lot slower than discrete graphics chips (ATI, Nvidia), so they will perform worse in games.

However, you said in your original post that they used to run at about 50FPS. Have you tried turning the settings down?
Also, check to see if any programs are running in the background which might slow the system down.

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:03

I have every thing on low in game.
I only have msn and xfire open when in games.

Is they anything I can bye to get games to run more good?

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:11

That is odd, I know that CS:S isn't very resource heavy, and that a Intel X4500HD (which I'm assuming you have) should be able to run it on low at least.
Have you checked the fans on the laptop, to see if they are blowing out hot air, which would indicate that they are running OK?

Have you installed any new hardware, or software that might be the cause of the slowdown? I know for a fact that some Anti-virus packages can take a bit hit on the FPS in games.

Also, can you post your Laptop's specs.

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:33

Yep hot air is coming out.
Core#0: 65
Core#1: 68

No, I don't have much software on this laptop.

This is going by xfire so don't know if all is Right.

Manufacturer:
Acer, inc.
Processor:
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5800 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory:
4024MB RAM
Hard Drive:
149 GB
Video Card:
Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Monitor:
Generic PnP Monitor
Sound Card:
Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Speakers/Headphones:
Creative Inspire T2900 2.1
Keyboard:
USB Root Hub
Mouse:
USB Root Hub
Mouse Surface:
Desk
Operating System:
Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:47

From those specs, I can see that your system surpasses the requirements.

Few more questions:
Are you running on battery?
Have you installed all the updates from Windows Update?

Might be a long-shot, but try restarting, sometimes Windows can become sluggish if left on for a few days.

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:52

I run on battery most off the time, The only time I do not is when battery is dead.
I have all updates.
Resetting laptop never works and It is never on for a few days I turn it off at night.

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 19:56

Ah right, I would seriously give it a go on the AC Adapter, as I know some graphic chips have problems with changing between power states.

sja360 · 4 Jan 2009 at 20:12

i'd take a shot at the graphics has been updated or something software wise has changed.

Shadows1990 · 4 Jan 2009 at 20:32

sja360 said:
i'd take a shot at the graphics has been updated or something software wise has changed.

From the DXDiag, I can see that his driver version is still relatively new, but there is a newer version available:

64-bit: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/dow...121.exe&DwnldId=17221&ProductID=2991&lang=eng
32-bit: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/dow...121.exe&DwnldId=17219&ProductID=2991&lang=eng

paul rope · 4 Jan 2009 at 23:43

I try it with laptop plug in and with it not plug in but it is the same.
I am installing the driver now and will let you know if it worked to mozs.

Neodite · 5 Jan 2009 at 08:47

I highly dought you ever managed 50fps playing CS:S on that system. With a half populated server i would think it closer to less than 10fps in a gun fight, and 20-30 fps stairing at a wall...

Remember it also depends on what map you are playing. as maps like inferno i would think would be unplayable

sja360 · 5 Jan 2009 at 10:01

Neodite said:
I highly dought you ever managed 50fps playing CS:S on that system. With a half populated server i would think it closer to less than 10fps in a gun fight, and 20-30 fps stairing at a wall...

Remember it also depends on what map you are playing. as maps like inferno i would think would be unplayable

i thought that too, but didnt want to say it

Jamesdavid3 · 5 Jan 2009 at 12:26

Remember CS:S is quite a demanding game graphics wise, most PC's now can run it okay, but Laptops might struggle!

sja360 · 5 Jan 2009 at 13:17

Jamesdavid3 said:
Remember CS:S is quite a demanding game graphics wise, most PC's now can run it okay, but Laptops might struggle!

yea but only laptops with integrated graphics cards.

ShakenNstirred · 5 Jan 2009 at 13:37

acer website says this about the 7730

"With the latest, powerful NVidia graphic cards with up to 512MB of dedicated and ultra-fast DDR3 VRAM the new and beautifully designed Aspire 7730 will deliver a fantastic home entertainment experience."

strange its not listed on the spec you gave